The Best French Après-Ski Recipes: Raclette, Tartiflette, Fondue & More

For many Brits, a ski holiday in France is inseparable from the food. Whether you’ve spent your winters in Val d’Isère, Morzine or Méribel, the après-ski experience – cosy restaurants, indulgent cheese dishes and a few well-earned drinks after the slopes – is one of the best parts of the trip. Is après-ski just drinking? No! While the buzz of post-ski drinks is part of the fun, the real magic comes from the hearty French food, bubbling cheese dishes and warm, comforting flavours that make alpine cuisine so irresistible. Designed for cold weather, traditional alpine cuisine feature hearty French dishes like raclette, tartiflette, gratins, cheese fondue, and slow-cooked stews – all perfect for sharing with family and friends.

The good news? You don’t need ski boots, snow or a lift pass to enjoy these alpine classics at home. If you’ve ever wondered what to cook if you miss France, these French winter dishes are the perfect solution. With the right ingredients and a few tried-and-tested recipes, you can recreate the après-ski atmosphere at home or even host a themed après-ski party with friends. Strap on your apron and let’s hit the slopes of French flavours!

Raclette

Raclette is an iconic dish of French winter cuisine, built around melted raclette cheese traditionally scraped over steaming boiled potatoes. Served with a variety of French charcuterie such as Jambon de Bayonne, Rosette de Lyon and pickled gherkins, raclette is a quintessential winter comfort food. Perfect for sharing, this dish embodies the indulgent, social spirit of Alpine dining and is perfect for recreating a cosy French chalet experience at home. Pair with a crisp white wine from Savoie for the full effect.

Tartiflette

Tartiflette is another quintessential Alpine dish, combining  layers of potatoes, smoky lardons, caramelized onions and creamy Reblochon cheese. Rich, indulgent, and full of flavour, this dish is perfect for warming up on cold winter evenings. 

Cheese Fondue

Cheese fondue is the ultimate French alpine comfort food. Combining melted Comté, Beaufort and Emmental de Savoie with white wine and a hint of garlic, the Fondue Savoyarde encourages long, leisurely meals where everyone dips bread, vegetables and potatoes into the warm, gooey cheese. Fondue is ideal for creating a convivial, social dining experience similar to the ones found in ski chalets across the Alps. It’s rich, indulgent, and perfect for warming up after skiing or enjoying a cozy night indoors with friends and family.

Baked Mont d’Or

Baked Mont d’Or is a seasonal Alpine cheese dish prepared in its wooden box with white wine until soft and creamy. Served with potatoes, crusty bread and cured charcuterie, this indulgent dish is effortless to make, making it perfect for winter gatherings or cosy nights in.

Gratin Dauphinois

Gratin Dauphinois is a creamy potato dish made with thinly sliced French potatoes, rich crème fraîche and French butter, baked until golden and tender. A classic of French alpine cuisine, it pairs beautifully with roasted meats, slow-cooked stews or hearty winter mains, making it the perfect accompaniment for dishes like coq au vin or beef bourguignon.

Coq au Vin

Coq au Vin  (literally “rooster in wine” in French) is a traditional French stew combining poultry with red wine, lardons, mushrooms and onions. Slow-cooked for rich, deep flavours, this dish embodies the essence of hearty winter comfort food. While the dish was historically a way to tenderise older roosters by braising them slowly in red wine, it is today usually prepared with chicken. It is often served with mashed potatoes or buttered pasta. 

Beef Bourguignon

Boeuf Bourguignon is a classic Burgundy dish loved for its tender slow-cooked meat and rich red wine sauce. It’s hearty, flavourful and ideal for slow-cooked winter meals. Ideal for cosy family dinners or an indulgent weekend meal, beef bourguignon pairs beautifully with creamy mashed potatoes or crusty baguette to soak up its sumptuous sauce.

French Onion Soup

French onion soup is the ultimate winter comfort food. Caramelized French onions cooked slowly in a rich broth, topped with toasted bread and gratinéed cheese, create a warming, satisfying dish perfect for cold days. Its flavours are so iconic that it has inspired modern twists, such as the French Onion Soup Burger, combining all the classic elements in a gourmet burger format.

Must-Try French Desserts for Winter

Popular desserts in French ski resorts restaurants include the classic Tarte Tatin, made with slow-cooked French apples, profiteroles, crème brûlée, île flottante and rustic alpine blueberry tarts. Brioche French toast (pain perdu) is another favourite, offering a warm, nostalgic, and comforting end to a winter meal. For a more indulgent option, try out our Chocolate Mousse with Green Chartreuse, a luxurious dessert that combines creamy chocolate with a subtle herbal twist.

Best French Après-Ski Drinks

Recreating the French après-ski experience at home isn’t just about the food: let’s not forget the drinks! Start with vin chaud, the spiced mulled wine that instantly warms and adds festive aromas to any gathering. Made with red wine, cinnamon, cloves and a hint of citrus, it’s the perfect cosy companion for cold winter nights. 

Pair dishes such as raclette, fondue and tartiflette with aromatic white wines from the Savoie region. Known for crisp, minerally profiles, these wines reflect the Alpine terroir, with grapes like Jacquère, Roussette and Altesse thriving in high-altitude vineyards. Their bright acidity and delicate fruit notes cut through the richness of winter dishes.

And why not indulge in a traditional digestif to finish off your meal? Génépi, a fragrant Alpine liquor made from mountain herbs, is a must-try! Did you know some skiers even carry a little in a hidden flask inside their ski sticks? Another classic is the increasingly popular Chartreuse, crafted by Carthusian monks with a secret blend of 130 herbs and spices. Both are warming, aromatic and a true taste of Alpine tradition, perfect for rounding off a cozy French winter feast.

For a more festive twist, cocktails made with France’s wide range of spirits can add a lively, playful touch to your at-home après-ski gathering, perfectly capturing the energy and fun of a La Folie Douce party! Bring the vibe to life with a sparkling French 75 made with gin, champagne, and lemon, a chic Kir Royal, or a warming, indulgent Cognac hot toddy. These drinks add sparkle and a sense of celebration, making your Alpine-inspired soirée feel truly unforgettable!